Vladivostok to Moscow in Winter Aboard the Golden Eagle

Russia is fantastic in the winter. The country is at its most beautiful, the crackling air burnished by a fresh snowfall. Across Siberia, the far-away lights of the Trans-Siberian flash through the darkness like a moving beacon. Join us on this remarkable winter route.

Savor a Russian snack of vodka and caviar

Aboard the Golden Eagle

Skirt the frozen shore of UNESCO-listed Lake Baikal for spectacular viewsSpend some time admiring UNESCO-listed Lake Baikal on the fabulous Circumbaikal Old Railway, one of the most complicated and beautiful rail routes in the world...

Lake Baikal, Siberia

Spend some time admiring UNESCO-listed Lake Baikal on the fabulous Circumbaikal Old Railway, one of the most complicated and beautiful rail routes in the world. Then hydrofoil over the frozen lake for winter fun – dog-sledding, ice-fishing or snow-mobiling.

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Itinerary & Highlights at a Glance

Days 1-2: Vladivostok (Russia)

At the beginning of the momentous journey, explore the Pacific Rim naval port of Vladivostok, including a tour of a restored submarine. In the evening, board the distinctive private train on its way across seven time zones.

Highlights

Vladivostok, Pacific Rim port city and terminus of the Trans-Siberian line

Days 3-5: Aboard Train

Relax onboard the comfortable train, taking in the views of Siberia's changing landscape.

Highlights

Day 6: Ulan Ude

Stop in Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic, a small city with a multiethnic background. Spend some time visiting with Orthodox Old Believers at a nearby village. Savor a home-cooked meal, and hear their marvelous chants, lyric songs and folk prayers, transmitted intact from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Highlights

Ulan Ude, capital of the Buryat Republic with the world’s largest Lenin head

Village visit to Old Believers, exiled to Siberia after they rebelled against the 17th century reforms of the Orthodox liturgy

Days 7-9: Lake Baikal, Irkutsk

The train winds along the majestic frozen shores of UNESCO-listed Lake Baikal, where the ice is often transparent. Board a hovercraft that crosses the lake to a spot where you can join in with locals ice-fishing, riding snowmobiles and running dogsleds.

Tour cultured Irkutsk, including a neighborhood of classic Siberian wooden architecture, and enjoy a private concert of accomplished classical musicians at the 19th century Decembrist House Museum. Take an opportunity to experience an authentic Russian banya, or steam bath, at a forest resort.

Highlights

Ice-fishing, snowmobile riding, dogsledding on the Baikal ice

Hovercraft out onto the lake

Circumbaikal Railway, the most scenic stretch of the original Trans-Siberian Railway

Days 10-12: Novosibirsk, Ekaterinburg

In Novosibirsk, Siberia’s most important city, explore the country’s biggest opera and ballet theater. Cross the Europe/Asia divide just outside of Ekaterinburg, and tour the site where the last czar, Nicholas II, and his family were held prisoner and then executed by the Bolsheviks.

Highlights

Russia's largest opera house, located in Novosibirsk

Ekaterinburg’s Church on the Blood, where Nicholas II and his family perished

Day 13: Kazan

Make a stop in Kazan, the beautiful capital of Tatarstan on the Volga, where a kremlin wall surrounds the old town, and where both minarets and Orthodox churches are found.

Highlights

UNESCO-listed Kazan Kremlin, once a fortress of the Golden Horde

Days 14-15: Moscow

Arrive in Moscow, world-class capital city. Tour iconic Red Square and the Kremlin, or opt for a tour of the Tretyakov Gallery. Enjoy a festive farewell dinner before spending a final night in a five star Moscow hotel.

Highlights

Moscow, Russia’s capital and most important city

Moscow’s 870-year-old Kremlin and Red Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or the world-class Tretyakov Gallery of Russian art

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Our rail journeys by private train are in a class of their own, allowing travelers to experience remote destinations in style and comfort – particularly enjoyable on such lengthy and legendary routes as the Trans-Siberian and the Silk Route. Group sizes are flexible and can be more than 100 passengers.

Prepare for Your Trip

International Airfare

MIR's in-house, full-service air department will gladly assist with your air travel needs.

Travel Insurance

Stay a Little Longer…

MIR can arrange for an extended program in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Eastern or Central Europe before or after your tour. Consider St. Petersburg – easy to see year-round – and one of the most beautiful cities in the world, especially in the winter. All of MIR’s destinations are open to you, and all can be attached to this program. Please contact MIR for more details about exciting options for extended travel.

Is this Trip Right for You?

This trip is moderately active, and rated moderate to rigorous touring due to the daily walking involved and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. To reap the full rewards of this adventure, travelers must be able to walk at least a mile a day, keeping up with fellow travelers.

A full list of details about the rigors of this tour are explained in the Detailed Descriptive Itinerary.

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Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express

The perfect combination of remote destinations and comfortable accommodations, rail journeys by private train open a world of discovery to travelers who enjoy comfort and leisure time as well as exciting new vistas.

The exclusive Golden Eagle private train furnishes the dream of Old World rail travel with modern comforts and amenities that make the journey as pleasant as the destination. The luxurious Golden Eagle is a fully en suite train and a restful and satisfying way to experience legendary rail routes.

Train & Hotel Accommodations

Relax and enjoy the panorama rolling past your private window and disembark for guided off-train touring in fascinating towns and cities along the way.

Each sleeping carriage on the Golden Eagle has its own attendants who provide bed turndown service, plus tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day. Attendants keep an eye on everything while guests are away from the train. L’Occitane body products, as well as premium bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer, are provided in all cabin categories.

Imperial Suite

Imperial Suites are the most beautiful and spacious cabins available onboard the Golden Eagle. Measuring a surprising 120 sq ft (11.1 sq meters), they are furnished with a luxurious king size bed, dedicated seating area, dressing table and private en suite facilities with large power shower and under floor heating. Individual air-conditioning, wardrobe, DVD/CD player with LCD screen and two large picture windows make the cabin a pleasant retreat.

Gold Class

Gold Class cabins are well-proportioned and feature modern en suite amenities including power showers, under floor heating, a DVD/CD player, LCD screen, remote-controlled air-conditioning/heating, recessed lighting and wardrobe and a personal safe. Each cabin is configured with upper and lower berths, and can accommodate double, twin or single occupancy.

Note: The 5th compartment is of a slightly different layout (68 sq ft), and will normally be allocated to single guests.

(click on photo to see larger version)

Silver Class

Silver Class cabins are more compact than Gold Class cabins with similar facilities. Silver Class cabins feature the same amenities as Gold Class cabins but in a smaller space and with a smaller, wet room-style shower area.

Hotel Accommodations

The first and last nights of most tours are spent in well-appointed four and five star hotels. Some tours feature additional hotel nights. Please review the detailed itinerary for specifics pertaining to each tour and departure. Additional nights before and after any tour can be arranged on request.

Life Aboard the Train

The Golden Eagle private train provides everything you need for a pleasurable journey. Join travelers from around the world to enjoy the relaxed and casual environment onboard, with no need to wear formal attire on excursions or while dining.

Train formations are not fixed, as the composition varies to suit the number of passengers on a given departure. Group sizes on winter trips are generally more intimate than spring, summer or fall departures. The exact configuration of the train on any particular journey may not be determined until close to departure.

Please note that a variety of cabins styles are in use aboard the train. Decor, layout, type and number of dining, bar and sleeping cars on your journey may differ from the sample images depicted in our brochures/websites.

Bar/Lounge Car

A Bar/Lounge Car is a favorite destination in the train formation and is typically included on most departures. The lounge offers a relaxing and comfortable area where you can enjoy a drink, take language lessons, and gather around the piano with other passengers.

Hotel Accommodations

The first and last nights of most tours are spent in well-appointed four and five star hotels. Some tours feature additional hotel nights. Please review the detailed itinerary for specifics pertaining to each tour and departure. Additional nights before and after any tour can be arranged on request.

Off-Train Tours

Rail journeys feature an extensive selection of educational city tours in the various stops on our routes. Private coaches and local guides whisk you away from your private train for fascinating half- or full-day forays into the principal towns and cities, sometimes including an in-city dining opportunity. Read through this tour’s itinerary for more information (found on the Itinerary & Map tab of this page).

Have a Question?

Send us your question below and we will get back to you soon. We can also be reached by phone 8:30am-5:30pm Pacific time, Monday-Friday toll free at 800-424-7289.

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Traveler Reviews

“This is trip of a lifetime and more than just a train journey. This is also a chance to see a phenomenal cross-section of Russia (and Mongolia) in a relatively short time. Great camaraderie and interaction with the passengers.”- A. Mowatt Jr. - New York, NY